DS Virgin Racing
DS Virgin Racing
Published in
6 min readNov 29, 2016

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This week sees Hewlett Packard Enterprise return to Excel London for Discover 2016, the ultimate technology event in the capital. As the quintessential work-hard-play-hard city, we wanted to make sure the visiting team get to discover the best of London too. This DS Virgin Racing guide takes you through an essential 24 hour experience of the Big Smoke, from bacon sandwiches at St John’s Bread and Wine to late night art at the Tate Modern. Grab your Oyster card, and let’s get started!

8am: Wake up and smell the bacon…

Kick-start your morning in London with the city’s best breakfast offerings.

Dishoom

Modelled on the Irani Cafes of Old Bombay, Dishoom offers colonial-charm interiors with a modern Parsi menu. The breakfast offerings are particularly revered here — go for the sausage naan roll, spicy scrambled eggs or chicken keema, washed down with the house Chai tea for a truly authentic experience.

Located in King’s Cross, Shoreditch, Covent Garden and Soho. Click here for more info.

St Johns Bread and Wine

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better Proper British Breakfast than at this low-key spot in Spitalfields, renowned for their rare breed bacon sandwiches, pig’s cheek omelettes and homemade granola. Even better, they offer the bacon sandwiches to takeaway if you’re in a rush — just call and order the day before.

Spitalfields Arts Market, 94–96 Commercial St, London E1 6LZ, UK. Click here for more info.

Duck & Waffle

Make the most of an early alarm with a trip up Heron Tower to Duck & Waffle, where you can tuck into chef Dan Doherty’s eponymous crispy leg, fried duck egg and mustard maple syrup waffle dish as the sun rises around you.

Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY. Click here for more info.

5pm: Unwind with a drink…

From classic cocktails to craft beers, these fine establishments have your order covered.

Bar Termini

A collaboration between cocktail maestro Tony Colingaro and coffee expert Marco Arrigo, this stylish Soho bar specialises in excellent espresso by day and Italian tipples by night. Settle in at the marble bar for pre-dinner Prosecco or end your evening in style with a Superiore Negroni.

7 Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 5JE, UK. Click here for more info.

The Shenkman Bar

One of the best-kept secrets at the Royal Academy of Arts, this hidden bar in the Keepers House is an oasis of calm in Piccadilly Circus. Open to non-members after 4pm, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of Italian red or a classic cocktail overlooking the walled garden.

Burlington House, Mayfair, London W1J 0BD, UK. Click here for more info.

The Mayflower Pub

As the oldest riverside pub in London, The Mayflower has been pouring pints for plebians, pirates and politicians since the 1600s. The deck at the back has a brilliant view over the river, but on a chilly evening a real ale by the roaring fire is pretty much unbeatable.

117 Rotherhithe St, Rotherhithe, London SE16 4NF, UK. Click here for more info.

7pm: Time for dinner…

Gone are the days of frozen pies — London’s dining scene is now awash with cool new concepts and award-winning chefs.

Sketch

With two Michelin stars and funhouse interiors that wouldn’t be amiss in a Wes Anderson film, dining at the colourful Sketch restaurant in Mayfair is an experience you’ll never forget. The menu is classical European with a twist, so expect dishes such as foie gras terrine with chocolate and a modern interpretation of traditional fish and chips. Don’t forget to take a peek at the famous ‘egg loos’ before you leave!

9 Conduit St, Mayfair, London W1S 2XG, UK. Click here for more info.

Hawksmoor Spitalfields

The Hawksmoor steakhouses have been transforming London’s attitude to the humble cow since 2006, and this Spitalfields outpost is one of their best. Beef is supplied by top London butcher the Ginger Pig then seared on Josper charcoal grills to ensure the most succulent steaks, while sides of triple cooked chips, buttered greens and macaroni cheese complete the dish. Low-lit dark wood interiors add old-school charm, and the downstairs bar is worth a visit for the bar snacks alone.

157A Commercial St, London E1 6BJ, UK. Click here for more info.

Frenchie

Sister spot to the celebrated Frenchie restaurant in Paris, this recent addition to the London dining scene has quickly made a name for itself. Chef Gregory Marchand has worked in some of the world’s finest restaurants, but has gone back to basics here with a sharing menu showcasing the best of British produce, including Scottish scallops, Cornish crab and Guernsey butter. Come with a group and order it all.

16 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8QH, UK. Click here for more info.

9pm: Explore London after hours…

Looking for something a bit different this evening? There’s plenty to do in the capital after sunset.

The Tate Modern

Friday night sees the Tate Modern come alive after dark with culture vultures making the most of the late closing time to visit award-winning modern art. Alongside famous works by the likes of Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol, the gallery regularly stages diverse exhibitions in a range of mediums — current shows include the private photography collection of Sir Elton John, and the paintings of Cuban artist Wifredo Lam.

Bankside, London SE1 9TG. Click here for more info.

Southbank Winter Festival

Embrace the festive spirit at the annual Southbank Winter Festival, which sees this cultural hub transformed with a Christmas market, live performances, pop-up venues and free events. From a dramatic circus show by BIANCO to Scandinavian street food at the Rekorderlig Cider Lodge, there’s something to keep everyone entertained.

Belvedere Rd, Lambeth, London SE1 8XX

The view from Sky Garden

Forget the Shard — the best view of London can be found 160m above Fenchurch Street, where London’s highest public garden offers uninterrupted views across the city from a unique glass dome. It’s free to explore the landscaped gardens, open terrace and observation desks, but for a truly leisurely experience book yourself a table at one of the bars and enjoy the view with a cocktail in hand.

1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF. Click here for more info.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Discover is returning to Excel London from November 29th — December 1st.

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DS Virgin Racing
DS Virgin Racing

Official account for the DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team. Powering Innovation.